MAKE COMMUNITIES AWARE OF THEIR HEALTH RESPONSIBILITIES - Mrs Janet Museveni

By Senfuka Samuel

                                   L-R: Katy Woods ( WRA Global Mobilization Coordinator UK office),
                               Robina Biteyi (Nationa Coordinator), Mrs. Janet Museveni (Patron),
                                                      Hon. Christine Ondoa (Minster of Health) and Senfuka Samuel (Programme Officer)

On 09^th November, 2011 WRA Uganda Secretariat met with Mrs. Janet Museveni, WRA Uganda Patron ahead of the Annual General Members Meeting scheduled to take place on 18^th November, 2011 at Fairway Hotel. Mrs. Museveni is also the First Lady, a Member of Parliament and Minister of Karamoja Region. The meeting aimed at reflecting on the alliance's achievements, lessons and challenges for 2011 and the way forward for 2012. It was a very cordial meeting and Hon. Christine Ondoa, Minister of Health was in attendance.  

The Patron expressed her appreciation for the achievements the alliance has made in 2011 and called for more efforts and focus on the rural areas where the biggest problem of maternal and newborn deaths exist. “The communities have to be made more aware about their responsibilities to look after their health and prepare for childbirths.” She was concerned that the Ministry of Health (MoH) has not yet strengthened the Village Health Teams (VHTs) to do their work better at the community level. She called on WRA Uganda and MoH to strengthen the prevailing working relationship in contributing towards reduction of maternal and newborn deaths.

Hon. Ondoa pledged to work more closely with White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood and create strong linkages with the ministry's Reproductive Health and Communications departments in order to produce information, education and communication (IEC) materials for district and community levels. The minister added that we need an integrated approach to maternal health, which focuses more on prevention. She mentioned that the ministry has put in place an ambitious integrated plan to eradicate malaria in the next 5years. The ministry is also focusing on malnutrition, scaling up family planning services and training more midwives in collaboration with other partners.

Please do not miss the Patron’s (Mrs. Janet Museveni) full message to all alliance members at the Annual General Members Meeting on 18^th November, 2011 starting at 8:30am at Fairway Hotel, Kampala.

WRA Uganda Gets Support for Namwezi Health Centre III

By Senfuka Samuel

WIMA Treasurer showing to community members and other guests some of the equipment donated as Ms Dorothy Mpiima, Woman MP Buikwe district witnesses.

Namwezi Health Centre III is found in Njeru Town Council, in the newly created district of Buikwe. It is 5km away from Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja district. As part of the services offered by a health centre III, Namwezi also offers maternity services. According to Ms Ruth Nanziri the In-charge as well as a Clinical Officer, on average the facility manages 3 deliveries a day. Over 300 women come for antenatal care services a month (1^st visit and subsequent ones). It has two enrolled midwives and two enrolled nurses.

By WRA Uganda zoning, Namwezi health centre is found in Jinja region. WRA Uganda Secretariat staff members have been making regular visits to the region and working with Namwezi Health centre staff and community members and WRA members. Besides the common challenges faced by health centres in Uganda such as inadequate staffing, low pay for health workers, lack of staff housing, Namwezi also lacked essential medical equipment. For instance hospital recommended delivery; examination and resting beds. The available beds were nearly broken down. Among other equipment the health centre lacked was a Blood Pressure machine in light of the known fact that 6% of maternal deaths in Uganda are caused by eclampsia. This made it difficult for the health workers to detect such complications in early stages of pregnancy.

The centre’s undesirable situation drove WRA Uganda to approach Women’s International Maternity Aid (WIMA) and appealed for support to save the lives of women in Njeru through provision of life saving equipment. WIMA is a voluntary non-profit organization of Ugandan expatriate women dedicated to helping the people of Uganda improve and extend mother and child care facilities. Gladly WIMA honored WRA Uganda request and visited the centre to assess the situation and later informed WRA that the request was granted.

On 28^th October 2011 WRA Uganda in collaboration with its regional members, Namwezi health centre management, community and Town Council leaders as well as community members organized a function at Namwezi Health Centre to officially receive the support from WIMA. A team of WIMA members led by Ms Eleanor Bageine, Chairperson, Gorretie Bamwanga, Secretary and WIMA Treasurer officially handed over an assortment of equipment to the centre that included the following.

1.                          Delivery bed (1)

2.                         Ward Bed Adult (1)

3.                          Examination bed (1)

4.                          Mattress with cover (1)

5.                          Bed pan (1)

6.                         Wheel chair (1)

7.                          Oxygen Regulator (1)

8.                          Resuscitator (infant) (1)

9.             Delivery Instrument set (1)

10.                    Stethoscope (1)

11.                    Stethoscope feotal wood (2)

12.                    Infusion Stand (2)

13.                    Screen with caster (1)

14.                    Blood Pressure Machine (1)

15.                    Weighing scale (Baby) (1)

16.                    Thermometer (1)

17.                    Autoclave /Sterilizer (1)

18.                    Waste bin (1)

19.                    Aprons (3)

Hon Dorothy Mpiima. Woman MP for Buikwe district also graced the occasion. She was moved by the support and also donated a generator for power back up. Mr. Majerani Luboyera, Njeru Town Council Deputy Clerk also donated a lap top to enhance record and data management for the centre.  

We extend our great appreciation to the benevolent members of WIMA. There is no better way to Play your Part like WIMA did in seeing that NO woman dies while giving life!

Mothers happily witnessed the support intended to contribute to save their lives

Oxygen Regulator with other assortments 

A bed, waste bin and screen with caster

Ms Robina Biteyi and Margaret Hasasha charting with community members who turned up to witness the support

Robina and Margaret inside the health centre

Ms Eleanor Begeine, Chairperson WIMA giving a speech

Ms Eleanor holding a baby in show of love they need from everyone

Members pose for a Group photo

The White Ribbon Alliance Kabale Donate To the Siamese Twins

By Elman Nsinda

WRA Uganda

Parents receive the funds. L-R: Dr Male Deputy Executive Director of Mulago Hospital, Mr. Byamugisha (father of the twins), Mr Isaac Kawonawo, Ms Robina Biteyi, Mr Sam Arinaitwe, Mrs Rosette Byamugisha (mother of the twins) and Sr. Ssenkabirwa in charge of the twins. 

A young couple Tumusiime and Rosette from Kabale District were blessed with twins early this year; The C-section was conducted successfully at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital. Twins were found with abnormality-Siamese twins conjoined at the abdomen. This called for specialist care and support for the newborns to survive. The support ranges from financial, medical, psychological and love. This prompted The White Ribbon Alliance Kabale Regional members to spearhead a fundraising drive through a charity walk in the district to support the family.

Members were able to mobilize UGX 4.1 Million (About USD$1500). On 24th September 2011, the team together with the WRA Uganda office and Mulago National Referral Hospital management organized an official handed over of the funds to the parents at Mulago Hospital where the babies were admitted for specialist care and assessment. This was done before members of the Press to create more awareness about newborns health and the support which is required from other well-wishers. It was also important for purposes of accountability and transparency of the members.

The head of the Kabale team Arinaitwe Samuel (WRA Youth Representative) said that (they) as safe motherhood advocate had to come up with the little they had to help babies survive. Others in attendance were Kawonawo Isaac, Secretary WRA Kabale region, Ms Robina Biteyi, National Coordinator among others.   

Please follow this YouTube link to watch the official handover of the funds at Mulago or copy and paste it in your browser: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=T441nTuO0qw&feature=share_email&ytsession=74Pv0rT_e8EwjH2FSlw2nP1-lAkOY_6T4_nReuzJJ5V0oXHbVKCsbdks0zGYEDJvokiEMv8I0XjGAGn_P2g9fBrBjTxt0nCZoPCx8eWWf5czdJqYzyz1uJWHYjYkOCZuzFX_OeqL10MMo2IFnQQnaQm7TtnIoiexK1VtKHicoW_T2WAWbttYnqhfJNulXJqOdk6YG20nI-b8RjUPfDk4nynTsHM6AOeHsLw2ggxCGjBU-CLR-GO_vxgMA5IgldF9We33XUn3rDsQnrmPEIX-hXOnYiY5_MFt-WAXSPGbrUQ

Ms Robina Biteyi, National Coordiantor talking to the media after handover the funds.

ARTISTES PRONOUNCE THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE OF ART IN HEALTH CARE AND HEALING

By Elman Nsinda

WRA Uganda

The prayers of the people who fear drugs and tablets have been answered   as scientists unveil Art-another cheap side effect free method of healing.

While deliberating on the role of Arts in Health Care during a Forum organized by Center for Arts in Health Care and School of Fine Art-university of Florida, Experts from the University of Florida said that Art and design play a very significant role in the prevention and healing of various diseases if it’s embraced by the people.

In the forum that started on 13^th to 14^th May this year in Kigali Rwanda, people from different countries of the region presented their experiences and art pieces and how they have been relevant in health care.

I was very moved by the demonstrations done by Capacita Rwanda. They told us to massage each other. After, I felt change in my body! To me this served as proof that Art heals.

Executive Director –Center for Arts in health care Anita Jones says that “The arts benefit patients by aiding in physical, mental and emotional recovery, including by relieving anxiety and decreasing their perception of pain. In an atmosphere where the patient often feels out of control, the arts can serve as therapeutic and healing tool, reducing stress and loneliness and providing opportunities for self expression”.

People are advised to have architectural designs on the walls of their buildings. “From architectural design to art on the walls, from access to natural lighting to inclusion of nature through land scaping and healing gardens, the physical environment has a significant impact on relieving patient and caregiver stress, improving health outcomes enhancing patient safety and overall quality of care and reducing costs”. A doctor was quoted as saying. He added that “The physical environment also plays an important role in improving health and safety of staff, reducing errors in providing care while increasing effectiveness and job satisfaction.

People from different walks of life; health workers among others are advised to embrace art as they are likely to achieving in short time and minimize costs.

The people most especially those who fear drugs and tablets can take this option mostly for prevention.

The forum gave a platform for the participants to exchange ideas and chat a way forward.

There were lots of fun, performances, music, dance and drama which kept people going and interested.

WRA’s own David Ssebuggwawo and Katy Woods also presented and talked on how WRA has been using Arts in creating awareness about maternal health. Woods showed pictures and cartoons that appealed to people. Even if it’s you, you can rush to help a pregnant neighbor. David showed the role of Arts in safe motherhood and according to his presentation, it was evident enough that art plays a key role in fostering safe motherhood. He highlighted Music, drama and talk shows and said that they have been effective in arousing responses and creating awareness.

The forum was organized by school of Fine Art+- University of Florida in conjunction with Center for Arts in health care. Participants came all the way from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, DR Congo and Rwanda the host.

Having been hooked, the participants from Uganda discussed on how to keep the fire burning.
They came up with a committee which will coordinate members and come up with activities in the country. David ssebuggwawo was selected Chairperson

CELEBRATING MIDWIFERY IN UGANDA

By Katy Woods

It was an early start on International Day of the Midwife for the WRA Uganda team as we set off before sunrise for Iganga to take part in the 5km walk organized globally by the International Confederation of Midwives.

As we drove towards Jinja through the lush Mabira forest and sugar plantations, we turned up the radio as we heard Janet Jackson from UNFPA Uganda talking of the need to scale up the numbers of midwives in the country. The message was very clear ­ there is a critical shortage of 2000 midwives in Uganda today, which is contributing to the deaths of 16 women every day ­ equivalent to a full matatu (minibus) crashing with no survivors every single day! A somber thought as we watch the matatus hurtling towards us on the busy highway.

When we got to Iganga we visited Namungalwe Health Centre IV beside the site of the celebrations. As we met with the health workers and the patients, the impression was of a very well kept happy environment. There was a group of 25 women settled under a tree receiving family planning information from Marie Stopes, the out-patients area had a long waiting queue, but it was moving, keeping the health workers busy with immunizations and treatments. In the maternity ward we met a beautiful new mother with her very healthy baby. The health center delivers 70 babies every month and there hasn't been a maternal death there for 20 years. The immense pride that the midwives showed as they spoke on camera bowled me over. They really love their job, and they want to be the best they can at it.

As I began to ask the midwives about their accommodation, I could see where the problems with the health centre lay. I was led over to a couple of crumbling building and met by a rabble of children who all lived in the 2 bedroom houses. The houses were built in 1958 and have never been renovated. There was no sanitation and the simplest of breakages had not been mended. The cracks and fungus in the ceiling were synonymous with the cracks in the system. I spotted a lovely looking house across the grass from the midwifery accommodation and asked who lived there. 'That's the doctor's house', I was told. 'It was donated to us by Princess Anne in 1986'. As we got closer to the house, I could see the rooms were filled up with cardboard boxes, where is the doctor? I asked. The midwife looked at me with frustration, “We have never had a doctor living here.” As I looked back at the 8 children who share such tiny rooms, and think about what it must be like most nights when the rain comes through the cracks, scarily through the electrical socket, I wonder how it must feel for the midwives to look over at a comfortable, secure and fully functional home that has housed cardboard for the last 25 years. Their message was clear, Uganda needs more midwives and they need to be better treated.

Doctor's House donated by Princess Anne in 1984 - it has never been lived in. The building is in perfect condition and stores plastic furniture and boxes.

The march had started so the WRA Uganda team ran to join them. I realized my day had not been an early start once the MC began to list where all the midwives had come from to take part in the march ­ from Rwanda to Rakai and Kabale to Kaabong, the midwives had gathered to show their strength on this important day. Hillary and Ethel, WRA members and artists, kicked off the celebrations by getting the midwives on their feet to their catchy songs with strong messages on maternal health. The midwives were embracing the day and getting down to the music, they shared their stories at the WRA stall and gave statements on what they would do for midwives if they were President

of Uganda.

We spoke with MPs, the Ministry of Health officials, Local Councilors, the Police, NGOs, the Media and mothers on the need to come together to push for more midwives and better conditions. Everybody was on the same message, a very positive sign for WRA campaigning in the next year. Working together we can improve the conditions for midwives and we can convince the government to invest in more health workers. WRA Uganda is bringing its members together on a targeted campaign towards this end for the next year. 

Join the campaign with WRA Uganda and play your part for midwives, mothers and maternal healthcare. Email: info@wrauganda.org 

Mrs Margaret Hasasha, WRA Uganda Board Member attends to Midwives as they sign up to be WRA members at the IDM function grounds

Midwives and Nurses dance to WRA Uganda maternal health  music performed by Ethel and Hillary at the function

Ethel performing her new song "Save a Woman"

Hillary performs along with the nurses and nurses as they dance to the music

WRA UGANDA MEET TO EVALUATE THE YOUTH CONCERT

By Elman Nsinda

WRA Uganda

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After a successful Youth Concert at Makerere University on 26 March 2011, WRA Uganda held an evaluation meeting to reflect on the processes and actual execution of the event. It was also to congratulate ourselves, check on the success, the underlying factors and some weaknesses so that they could be put right in future events. The meeting took place on 14^th April 2011 at Faze2 Restaurant in Kampala.

In the meeting, members noted that the Youth concert was a success and the youth who were involved in the preparations were highly applauded. The National Secretariat appreciated outstanding committee members for having played a key role and rewardeded them as a motivation and keep the momentum high! These included Tracy Walakira, Chombo Henry and I was inclusive.

Extreme left is Ms Robina Biteyi (National Coordinator) while addressing participants on 26^th March 2011 at Faze2 Restaurant in Kampala

Ms Robina Biteyi (National Coordinator WRA Uganda) was very appreciative and commended the youth for all their efforts that made the Concert a success. Mr. Senfuka Samuel, Project Officer chaired the evaluation process and was also the Chairperson of the Concert Organizing Committee. Others who attended the evaluation meeting included Mrs. Jean Irumba, Ms Katy Woods, Mr. Sebugwawo David, Makerere University Students representatives including Mr. Dennis Adim Enap the Students Guild Speaker and the WRA Uganda youth members were effectively represented as well.

Mr. Nsinda Elman receiving a gift from Ms Robina Bietyi, National Coordinator

A section of participants in the Youth Evaluation meeting pose for a photo after the meeting

BREAKING DOWN ISOLATION AND CREATING SOLIDARITY

By Senfuka Samuel

Project Officer, WRA Uganda

A section of participants during the sharing meeting at Buziga Country Resort

One of the powerful aspects which keep alliances vibrant, growing and strong is networking, sharing, and learning from one another hence breaking down isolation and creating principled solidarity. In January 2011, WRA Uganda had a unique opportunity of hosting two different organizations in the pursuit of working closely together to exchange information and experiences, share problems and challenges and co-operates to find workable solutions and engage in common actions for safe motherhood.

On 23^rd January 2011 WRA Kenya visited WRA Uganda for an opportunity to share experiences and learn from WRA Uganda engagement of the youth in contributing towards improving maternal and neonatal health. The WRA Kenya team was led by Ms Angela Nguku, Founder and National Coordinator in company of two youthful maternal health champions from Nairobi. Mr. Kazungu Matano and Mr. Phelix Odiwuor. The youth champions are both celebrities/popular figures in Kenya in the area of comedy, Radio and TV presentation.

The visit gave a platform for the Ugandan youth to share their experiences about activities and strategies they have been involved in to promote safe motherhood. These majorly included Convoy to Kampala, East African Caravan and the Pre- African Union Youth Summit, Young Maternal Health Advocates competition. The youth shared their experiences, successes, challenges and lessons learnt from these activities and strategies employed such as the media, music, dance and drama, poetry, mock debate, video and film shows among others.

The youth testified that their involvement has not only contributed to improving maternal health but also impacted on their lives individually in terms of building their confidence to communicate and advocate, learnt new life skills like dance and drama. “My first experience with WRA Uganda was to visit Kabale district because I had never gone to the place before. But when I reached Kabale things changed and felt touched by what I found women going through and this changed my mind,” shared Gertrude Kayaga, a youth member. Gertrude further added that she was very poor at dance and drama, but greatly improved by learning from her colleagues. “I have learnt how to advocate and present myself. My involvement as a youth has enabled me to meet people I wouldn’t have ever met in life,” she excitedly shared.

On the other hand, Mr. Felix shared that he pondered when he was chosen to be a maternal health champion. “I did not realize its importance at first but later found that bringing men on board is strategic and has a great trickledown effect,” Said Felix. He promised to use the lessons learnt from Uganda youth convoy to organize a bigger one in Kenya.

Mr. Kazungu Matano added that they are planning to use their popularity to disseminate maternal health information through bill boards.

Angela noted that we need to make maternal health an East African agenda because the situation is worse across the region. WRA Kenya will invite WRA Uganda youth to share their experience in Kenya during their planned youth convoy because our mission is to unify different people for maternal health cause.

The biggest lesson learnt was in order to effectively engage the youth, it is important to reach them where they are. Taking activities to where they love such as beaches, schools and make events that appeal to them like music concerts, games, drama. This motivates them to keep them going and have fun.

Mr. Senfuka Samuel, Project Officer WRA Uganda in the closing remarks underscored harnessing the power of partnership as WRA family and reinforce one another. “We should continue to mobilize the power of partnership because the strength of the individual alliance may vary but our collective strengths is considerable,” Senfuka remarked.

In the same spirit WRA Uganda held a sharing meeting with KiBO Foundation. The meeting was held on 01^st February 2011 at WRA Uganda offices with the aim of exploring ways of working together in promoting safe motherhood. KiBO Foundation is a social enterprise organization focusing on empowering the youth with various life skills and community service programmes. WRA Uganda together with the youth and KiBO Foundation proposed joint near future action plans to be considered and plan around them.

      Exchange visit to KiBO Foundation

      Charity sport games

      Blood donations for mothers

      Music dance and drama for maternal health

      General cleaning of identified health facilities

Members pose for a group photo